The AMTS withdrew services to the area for the time being after some local residents damaged a few buses near the mishap site.

This is the second accident in the area. On Tuesday an AMTS bus had crushed a scooterist and the bus driver was beaten to death by an angry mob of about 2,000.

Assistant Commissioner of Police K C Patel, who rushed to the spot, told Express Newsline that the incident occurred around 4 pm when the bus (No 927 and route No 68) plying between Kalupur and Gulab Tower, hit the moped rider while negotiating a turn at the crossing. The rider, said to be in early fifties, fell and lost consciousness. He was taken to V S Hospital in an autorickshaw where he succumbed to injuries. Police were yet to identify him.

Police said hundreds had gathered at the spot and a passer-by Kanubhai Patel informed a police mobile and police swung into action and took the bus driver and the conductor to Naranpura police station. The timely action averted a major incident as the mob wanted the police to hand over the driver to them. Later, some people hurled stones at other passenger buses passing through the crossing and smashed glasses of three buses. Other buses on way to Naranpura changed routes on police advice, while some buses stopped at the Usmanpura crossing. No untoward incident was reported from elsewhere in the city. Police said bus driver Chandrakant Kantilal Patel and conductor Haresh Vasudeobhai Brahmabhatt were taken into custody immediately and the bus was impounded.

As the news spread, AMTS withdrew services to the area temporarily. AMTS transport manager K C Patel told Express Newsline that services were withdrawn in view of the safety of the drivers and buses.